2019 Tired Butts #14 – Chattanooga

This year’s Tired Butts was another Ladies pick. Amanda Welch and Deborah Sims started early and picked Chattanooga as our destination. This was a great pick with a fair distance, curvy roads, mountains, and some great things to do. Alas, both of these ladies were unable to make the trip with us.

 There were, however, 19 folks making the trip. The day started with an 8 AM departure in the rain with Tom Miro leading the way. There were 7 cars in the caravan with three  to meet us later. Kellyton arrived soon as our first pit stop. I asked Tom to pick up maybe 10 MPH if he could in the rain. My mouth engaged well before the brain with another remark. Immediately Debra told me I would be paying for that. Me thinks she cast a spell on Betsy. We found ourselves at the back of the pack behind Rick & Kelly’s Spitfire on a trailer. No one saw us as we coasted to a stop with a dead engine. I quickly called Andy & Kim for support and they were there in the blink of an eye. Sloppy maintenance on my part. Turned out to be a broken wire to the coil which I had “repaired” just a few months earlier. A little wiring and proper amount of duct tape and we were back in the mix. Karma. That’s what Debra said.

Tom led us safely to Allen & Ione in Heflin as Debra & I caught up along with Andy & Kim. Andy took the lead and led us through Piedmont and on to Cedar Bluff. The rain was still coming down as we caravanned along. Debra became known as the “Two Towel Lady” when folks saw her  wringing out her towels in futile attempts to slow the tide of water leaking in. Supposedly – no one else was getting wet! Andy quickly found our lunch spot – The Cove at Riverside. Russell had found us a hidden gem! The place was awesome. Food was great and the desserts were even better. Definitely a place to stop on future trips this way.

About now, I started getting calls and texts from Mike & Betty. They had left 3 hours after us in the McLaren and were coming fast. I guessed they were an hour and a half behind during lunch. When we stopped to get gas, they had just reached the Cove.  Now only an hour- maybe less!

Russell always works his magic regarding weather. After lunch was his turn to lead. He would be leading us over unknown roads crossing the mountain. But first, he had to address the rain. I watched as he peered skyward, eyes closed, in deep concentration. At first a single ray of sunshine lit the MINI. Then the clouds rolled apart and sunshine flooded our area for the fist time all day.

These roads were fantastic! Plenty of absolutely beautiful scenery with fall colors. There were farms and cotton fields as we crossed the valley. Curves and climbing hills came next. Finally some switchbacks and I could only think – no – I want more! There were mountaintop vistas  and cliffside views that only ended too soon. At the bottom, Andy would again take the lead in Trenton and via interstate we were soon at the hotel.

Meanwhile, Betty was sending texts –” Who picked this road – it is awesome.”  My guess – maybe 30 minutes behind. We arrived at the hotel and while checking in – up pulled the McLaren. Wouldn’t you have loved to be in that car for this trip? They had made up three hours and stopped for lunch!

Saturday found us heading for Rock City. The GPS Lady was giving directions, which were ignored, leaving us on some short but really beautiful curvy roads to the top of Lookout Mountain. There were too many turns, but everyone made it. Rock City is a pretty place. Most of us had been here as children. The Fairyland Caverns, while still impressive, isn’t as exciting as it was when I was maybe 7. It was fun and the views were awesome. It also took its toll on my knee, Mike’s, foot in a boot, and Ione’s knee. Still it was a great choice by Amanda & Deborah.

After lunch we met downtown at the Tennessee Aquarium. This place is great. We had been told the saltwater side was the most impressive, but I disagree. It was really neat, but to see so many freshwater species left Debra and I guessing all day long. This is a fantastic place to go.

Dancing? It was the night before my 65^th  birthday. There would be little celebrating as I was whipped. The hotel was great and soon we took over the breakfast area with our drinks and snacks. It was sweet of Debra and the ladies to do this and ferry the snacks to this table where everyone had a place to sit.

The return, as always, like a covey of quail folks were off in every direction. Three of us were left – Andy & Kim, Russell & Cathy, & Debra and I who wanted a scenic ride home. About that. Seems I couldn’t follow my own directions. After several miscues I just led on down the road. The road was straight for miles with nary a hill or curve. Debra says to me, weren’t we to be up there, pointing to the mountain ridge on the right. Well yes, but I missed the turns. You told me we’d see mountain views, look over the valley, curvy roads – what a gyp! Then she bestowed a nickname I can’t type here. This would not be the last of missed turns. The others refused to lead ’cause nobody had a clue where we were by now,

For me, just made it more fun and as always adds to the memories of these trips. I trust everyone had a great time, I know I did.  Thanks again Amanda & Deborah! 

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